Thiruvananthapuram, June 16 -- Kerala has reported five deaths due to Shigella infection so far this year, Health and Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan said on Tuesday, amid growing concerns over the spread of infectious diseases during the monsoon season.
A total of 146 Shigella cases have been reported between January and June, including 70 confirmed this month alone.
The deaths were reported from Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts.
The Minister said disruptions in pre-monsoon sanitation drives, following the formation of new local body administrations and the enforcement of the election Model Code of Conduct, contributed to the rise in infectious diseases.
He added that disease surveillance and diagnostic testing have been...